Buddhist Symbols On Porcelain

Plate B, fig. 9. A bell (Chung). This is generally replaced by the Lun or Chakra, the wheel of the law.

Plate B, fig. 10. A univalve shell (Lo), the chank shell of the Buddhists. A shell was lent by the Government to the ambassadors to Loochoo, to ensure them a prosperous voyage.

Plate B, fig. 11. A state umbrella (San), possibly intended for the Wan-min-san, “The umbrella of ten thousand people,” which is presented to a mandarin on his leaving his district as a token of the purity of his administration..

Plate B, fig. 12. A canopy (Kae).

Plate B, fig. 13. The lotus flower (Hwa). This symbol is never represented with fillets ; it occurs not uncommonly as a mark. Although properly the sacred lotus of the Buddhists, it is often represented more like a peony, or some other flower.

Plate B, fig. 14. A vase with cover (Kwan).

Plate B, fig. 15. Two fishes (Yu) united by fillets, allude to domestic felicity. A freshwater fish, like a perch, called Fu, was supposed to go about in pairs, faithful to each other. It has exactly the same sound as Fu, ” riches.”

Plate B, fig. 16. An angular knot, the intestines, an emblem of longevity.

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